The completion of the basic ultrasound technician requirements can start the promising and fruitful career of the diagnostic medical sonographer. Compared to other allied health professionals of the same level such as the X ray technician, salaries offered for the ultrasound sonographers is higher. This article will provide information regarding the ultrasound tech requirements versus x ray technician requirements.
Formal Education
Since both the ultrasound tech and X ray technician require skills, which are acquired through formal education, aspiring students are required to complete any of the sonography degree or x ray technician degree programs. Two years of education incorporated with formal as well as clinical trainings are needed to be completed by the x ray technician students. Schools which offer x ray technician degree programs should be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (the JRCERT). The programs for x ray technicians include education and training where the students will learn the proper way of using, caring and maintaining different radiology equipment. The students are also taught on how to properly position the patients who will undergo the X ray to get the best quality of image because human anatomy is included in the curriculum. Several schools are offering x ray technician education and training and could also be acquired from online programs.
The ultrasound education can be completed from any of the sonography schools, which are intended for medical sonography. Certificate programs that culminate in less than a year or one year are intended for the medical professionals who are currently employed in the allied health services. This is to provide them with knowledge of the principles and techniques of ultrasound sonography, which they can utilize in their respected fields. The two-year associate degree and the four-year bachelor degree are for the high school graduates who are aspiring to become diagnostic medical sonographers. The accrediting bureau for the allied health programs such as the programs is the CAAHEP or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
License
One of the ultrasound sonography requirements in some areas or states in the US is the license. In general, ultrasound tech licensing is optional. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends graduates to secure the license from the ARDMS in order to have higher salary and be preferred more by medical employers.
For the x ray technicians, after completing the required formal education, a certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (the ARRT) should be passed by the graduates in order be certified. With this, the certified x ray technician is ready to perform the different duties of the x ray technician.
Other Requirements
The medical employers set their own qualifications before they hire the deserving professional. In order to be the choice of the medical employers, the sonographer must comply with the other ultrasound technician requirements which the employers will be asking for. The x ray technician on the other hand should comply with the necessary requirements asked for by the employers to be considered for the vacant positions. Most of the time, the ultrasound specialties are required by some hospitals, so it is necessary to have a list of qualifications before submitting any applications to medical employers.
The job outlook for both the diagnostic medical sonographer and the x ray technician is good but since more patients are now demanding safer diagnostic procedures, more job opportunities are at stake for the ultrasound technicians. The completion of the ultrasound requirements is the first step to be hired so it is a must to do good on the different aspects of becoming sonographers.
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